There was a time when used plastic bottles were a threat to the environment. Today, it is being used positively to manufacture garments. In fact, many people are wearing this green garment made from used water bottles. In the current scenario of textile pollution, choosing green clothing is a sign of being responsible and sensible towards the environment.

Green clothing refers to fabrics that are obtained from sustainable materials like hemp, bamboo or recycled plastic. Also, the methods used to manufacture these fabrics are sustainable. There will be a considerable decrease in the carbon emission if there is a reduction in the use of raw materials, energy, and natural resources. One can opt for such green clothing without making any compromise on choice or fashion.

There is not much difference with respect to quality or texture between the clothes made from recycled material and normally made garments. It is proven that recycling plastic reduces air, water, and land pollution. Thus, buying products made from recycled plastic bottles indirectly helps to create a sustainable living and environment.

According to a report, 86% of plastic water bottles used in the US are dumped into the landfills. Around 60 million water bottles are daily used in the US, which means approximately 18,834,000,000 are dumped in the landfills every year. Besides, each plastic bottle can take up to 700 years to perish. The alarming rate at which the numbers of used plastic bottles are increasing in the landfills poses a high risk to the environment.

Luckily, many companies globally are coming forward to recycle the waste plastic bottles and create sustainable jobs and environment. Not only entrepreneurs but fashion designers are also coming forward to join their hands in supporting the environment. It was noteworthy to see nine World Cup teams wearing T-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles. Moreover, the U.S. and the Brazilian teams' entire outfit was made from plastic bottles alone.

It is difficult to imagine how plastic bottles are transformed into fabrics. With the help of advanced technology, here is a process that can convert plastic bottles into fabrics. First of all, the plastic bottles are collected, compressed, packed into bales, and shipped to the processing factory. Then, the plastic bottles are chipped and melted into white round balls.

These balls are again crushed and spun through a shower-like nozzle that results in viscose yarn. These yarns are used to weave fabrics and finally end up in a trendy piece of clothing. This process also consumes 30% less energy than garments which are made from conventionally manufactured polyester.

Recycled bottles are used for various purposes. One such use of this recycled material is spinning it into thin fibers, which are used to make clothing such as T-shirts, jackets, shirts and garments for exercise usually made from polyester blends. Soft fleece are made from these bottles which are used for hats, blankets and jacket linings. There are brands that make warm, comfortable, weather resilient and long-lasting clothing with recycled plastic bottles. Moreover, making clothes from recycled plastic bottles has many benefits such as it reduces the dependency on foreign oil.


Also, it is responsible for reduction in toxins released into the air while burning waste plastic. Besides, the waste bottles dumped into the landfills are also reduced. Further, the used plastic bottles which are turned into fabrics are recyclable and they generate less pollution in the environment. This is a great way to cater to the needs of people as well as eliminate waste from the environment.


The fashion world has embraced the concept of recycled clothing from plastic bottles. Hence, it is common to find recycled plastic garments in stores anywhere in the world. Today, one can find garment manufacturers using PCR (post consumer resin) and coming up with clothing line for men, women and children. Moreover, the plastic spun thread can be blended with other fibres to create variety of clothing for every section of people.


One can see a growing fashion trend of using recycled plastics in clothing like beachwear. The summer fashion week held at Miami Beach emphasized the role of plastics in summer clothing and accessories. It is great to find a good piece of clothing for ones wardrobe and also support sustainable environment. To promote recycled plastic clothing TV stars, athletes even musicians are joining this green campaign.


It is heartening to see this eco- conscious fashion, finding a place in the mainstream fashion world. For those people who cannot relate plastic with fashionable garments will be amazed to find that it is woven into many types of fabrics like nylon, polyester, spandex, acrylic rayon, faux fur, faux leather, vinyl, polyurethane etc. These fabrics are widely used in making style statements in the fashion arena.


With development in recycling technology, plastic bottles can now be transformed into light, soft and breathable textiles that are best for stylish outfits, skirts and blouses. Biggest brands in fashion have welcomed recycled plastic fabrics for creating trendy clothing and accessories and their fashionable customers have loved the collection. They are stylish, affordable and give a high-end look.


The New York fashion Week held in 2013, came up with a novel idea by installing a vending machine. People were given a chance to buy limited edition of designer T-shirt made from recycled plastic fabric. The cost of the T-shirt was a plastic bottle. So, anyone who wished to buy this T-shirt can deposit a plastic bottle into the machine and receive an exclusive T-shirt made from recycled plastic bottle.

 

To make this T-shirt, first the plastic bottles are cleaned, melted and stretched into fine fibers. Later they are woven into soft and comfortable fabrics. The versatility of the recycled plastic is such that it can be made into different weights and textures, which can be used to create stylish dresses to trendy shoes or rugged jackets.


For those who are fashionable as well as eco- conscious, they have a good option to explore trendy outfits made from recycled plastic bottles. Recycling materials consumes less energy than making a new one. When one plastic bottle is recycled, one can save enough energy to light 60 watt bulb for six hours. As our environment is at risk and the world is becoming more eco-conscious, one can see a rise in the usage of recycled plastic fabrics for daily needs.


References:


1.      Thehindu.com

2.      Gbb.org

3.      Beforeitsnews.com

4.      Ggoclothing.com

5.      Plasticstoday.com

6.      Americanchemistry.com

7.      Plasticsmakeitpossible.com